News Release
| Release Number: | 99-094 |
| Dated: | 10/25/1999 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Gresham Sand and Gravel Co., to remove sand annually from the confluence of the Columbia and Sandy rivers near Troutdale, Ore. As part of its permit evaluation process, the Corps is requesting public review and comment on the proposed project prior to making its determination on whether to issue, modify or deny a permit for the work.
The company wants to remove by hydraulic dredge and commercially sell up to 200,000 cubic yards of sand annually. The sand would be removed from an area 4,400 feet long and up to 1,400 feet wide at Sundial Beach at Columbia River mile 120 near the Columbia River’s confluence with the Sandy River. The dredging work also would allow the applicant to maintain access to an existing moorage facility. The sand would be disposed of on adjacent uplands. If permitted, the disposal operation would not impact existing wetlands on the property.
Also, if permitted, the applicant would be required to take action to decrease turbidity, dispose of dredged material behind maintained protective berms, mitigate for or eliminate actions that cause adverse effects on fisheries and operate the dredge with the intake at or below the surface of the material being removed.
For a copy of the Corps of Engineers’ Public Notice, which describes the proposed project in detail, please call Judy Linton at (503) 808-4382, or access the notice off the Corps’ Internet site at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/Regs/Pub_bull.htm.
Written comments should reach the Corps offices by Nov. 12, 1999, and should be mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-OP-GP (Judy Linton), P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Oregon 97208-2946. Comments also may be sent via e-mail to judy.l.linton@usace.army.mil.
The Corps also is soliciting input from federal, state and local agencies and officials, Indian Tribes, and other interested parties to help permit reviewers consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed project on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors.
The Corps will issue or deny the permit under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
A Water Quality Certification, as required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, also will be needed from the State. Also, because listed fish species under the Endangered Species Act are in the river, the Corps will enter into consultation with the National Marines Fisheries Service.